Wayne State College hosts World Speech Day events each year to allow all students to share their thoughts.  

Starting in 2016, WSC’s World Speech Day is hosted every spring to celebrate public speaking and the national holiday. World Speech Day falls on March 15 every year all around the globe, and hundreds of colleges and schools participate in the day.  

“It’s basically open mic day, especially for voices typically not given a microphone,” Teresa Morales, a WSC communications professor and founder of Wayne’s World Speach Day, said. “It basically unsilences the silenced voices.” 

While public speaking is typically viewed as formal and informative, those who speak at World Speech Day discuss a wide range of topics. Past topics have included bullying, Native American culture, food and even eulogies for lost pets.  

Even if students aren’t sure what to discuss, Morales said she still encourages them to try talking.  

“We have a spinning wheel of ideas because some students say ‘I don’t know what to talk about’,” Morales said.  

Those who can talk for over two minutes are given the chance to receive a prize from the event’s hosts or their professors. Morales said swag and candy are given away, and several professors give extra credit to students who participate.  

World Speech Day is just one of many events on campus run by a student-led organization, specifically Civic Leadership at Wayne State.  

“We set everything up, we advertise and create flyers and order all the prizes and gifts,” Sidney Truman, the CLAWS president, said. “Most importantly, we are there supporting other students the entire time.” 

However, CLAWS isn’t the only group involved in hosting World Speech Day. Many of Morales’s classes help put together the event.  

“My leadership, and in the past some of my argumentation classes, have taken ownership of this day,” Morales said. “They work really hard on World Speech Day. They plan every aspect of it. They create all the posters, the advertising, and the announcements.” 

While this event is mostly run by communications majors, it is open to all students, staff, and even community members. Truman said she encourages anyone even slightly interested to give it a chance.  

“Honestly, my favorite post of the day is when students with majors outside of communication come up to speak,” she said. “It’s a great way to not only make friends but also contribute positively to the overall supportive environment we have on campus.” 

World Speech Day will be hosted in the Kanter Student Center atrium on March 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.